Good Change Brings New Leadership, Ideas, and Opportunities to IWI’s Air and Space Power Team

Key Takeaways

• Michael Kreuzer appointed Air & Space Power Focus Area Director.
• Team produced three years of articles, podcasts, and events on air‑space warfare.
• Research vectors include democratization of airpower and gray‑zone operations.
• Work influences scholars, practitioners, and defense policy on irregular conflict.
• New leadership expected to add fresh vectors and partnership opportunities.

Pulse Analysis

The Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) launched its Air and Space Power Focus Area three years ago to fill a gap in the study of how aerial and orbital assets affect non‑conventional conflict. By framing air and space as a "third dimension" of irregular warfare, the team created research vectors—democratization of airpower, gray‑zone operations, and capacity‑building—that translate technical capabilities into strategic insights. This approach resonates with a defense community increasingly aware that insurgents, criminal networks, and smaller states can now leverage drones, satellite communications, and hypersonic weapons.

During its inaugural period the focus area generated a robust output: dozens of peer‑reviewed articles, a series of podcasts featuring senior military and academic voices, and multiple briefings at think‑tank events. Those products have been cited in policy papers and incorporated into curricula at war colleges, signaling that air‑space considerations are moving from niche academic debate to mainstream doctrine. The team’s emphasis on "vectors" helped crystallize complex topics—such as how low‑cost UAVs alter battlefield logistics—into actionable frameworks for planners and analysts.

The appointment of Dr. Michael Kreuzer marks the next evolution of the initiative. Known for his interdisciplinary work on autonomous systems and strategic stability, Kreuzer is expected to broaden the research agenda with new vectors on cyber‑space integration and commercial space partnerships. His leadership aligns with a broader industry trend where defense firms and governments are investing heavily in space‑based ISR and resilient satellite constellations. As great power competition intensifies, IWI’s expanded focus will provide policymakers with the nuanced analysis needed to craft effective responses in the increasingly contested air‑space domain.